Kaffeehaferl Appraisal

Rothenburger Kaffeehaferl Souvenir Mug

This item is a ceramic souvenir mug, likely referred to as a 'Kaffeehaferl' which translates to coffee cup or mug in Bavarian dialect. It features a predominantly white glazed body with hand-painted or decal decoration. The mug has a slightly flared rim and a footed base, giving it a somewhat elegant, chalice-like form rather than a typical straight-sided mug. A continuous light blue band traces the rim and the top edge of the foot. The main body of the mug is adorned with small clusters of blue flowers, possibly forget-me-nots, interspersed with red ribbons or small red accents, suggesting a folk art or traditional Bavarian aesthetic. The prominent feature is the inscription in dark blue, flowing script that reads 'Rothenburger Kaffeehaferl'. 'Rothenburger' likely refers to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a well-known medieval town in Bavaria, Germany, famous for its preserved old town and a popular tourist destination. The craftsmanship appears to be commercially produced but with a decorative flair. There are no immediately visible chips, cracks, or significant wear, suggesting it is in good, possibly unused or carefully preserved, condition. The glossy finish indicates it is glazed porcelain or earthenware. No specific maker's marks are visible from the provided image, but it is characteristic of souvenir ware from German tourist regions. The style suggests it could date from the mid to late 20th century.